Access Time:

2 months (starting from time of purchase)

Tutor:

This course is tutored.

Credits:

20 L CERPs / 20 hours IBLCE pre-exam education
20 CH (American nurse credits)

Cost:

US$197

Well-constructed online learning gives you the best of both worlds - quality content that you can work through at your own pace, in your own place, but with a level of personal attention that even rivals face-to-face programs. And, you guessed it, Health e-Learning programs are the BEST of online learning with all these great features:

• Log in when it suits you 24/7/365
• Study at your own pace within your enrolment period
  • no formal deadlines, stressful exams or assignments
• All reading provided or linked
• Periodic testing of knowledge with fun self test activities
• Course facilitation by highly experienced IBCLC tutor
• Gain valuable support and network with students from all over the world
• Immediate feedback for final online assessment
  • certificate of completion issued immediately
• Administrative and technical support available online

The course is studied under the following topic headings.

1. Why Breastfeeding is Important
   • Biochemistry of breastmilk
   • Immunology of breastmilk
   • Relative risks of alternative feeding
2. Communication Skills
3. Pregnancy Care
   • Influencing the feeding decision
   • The barriers
   • Physical preparation
4. The Birth Experience
   • The first hours
   • Labor interventions
   • Postnatal interventions
5. Breastfeeding the baby
   • Positioning principles
   • Breastmilk transfer
   • Assessing breastfeeding
6. A Time to Learn
   • Practical skills
   • Breastfeeding messages
   • Normal growth
   • Sleep
   • Psychological support
   • Discharge planning
7. Infant Challenges
   • Late preterm infant
   • The non-latching infant
   • Hypoglycaemia
   • Hyperbilirubinaemia
   • Supplementation
   • The crying baby
   • Inadequate weight gain
8. Maternal Challenges
   • Engorgement
   • Nipple pain
   • Breast problems
   • Insufficient breastmilk
   • Medical and surgical issues
9. Promotion, Protection and Support of Breastfeeding
   • The International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes
   • The Baby Friendly Initiative
   • Infant and Young Child Feeding
   • Local Initiatives

Reading Material

• All required reading materials and resources are available online.
  • A quality, current lactation text is advisable to augment your studies. Please see our list of recommended resources for further information.
• Participants are permitted to print one copy of their course for personal use only.
  • If you do wish to print, please be aware that some courses are over 60 pages in length. Be advised that links to articles and interactive activities are not available in the printed version.

On successful completion of this course the participant will be able to:

1. Module One
   • List the major macro- and micronutrients in breastmilk, their function in the baby and the effect of maternal diet on milk composition.
   • Outline the effects artificial feeding has on infants and children.
2. Module Two
   • Identify communication skills of listening, learning and building confidence.
3. Module Three
   • Outline the information to be given during antenatal discussions
   • Explain what antenatal preparation for breastfeeding is useful and what is not
   • Identify the parts of the breast and describe their function.
4. Module Four
   • List the hormones and their changes necessary for successful lactogenesis II.
   • Describe how the actions during labor and birth can support early breastfeeding.
   • Explain the importance of early contact for mother and baby
   • Explain ways to help initiate early breastfeeding
   • List ways to support breastfeeding after a caesarean section
5. Module Five
   • List the key elements of positioning the baby for comfortable and successful breastfeeding.
   • Describe what to look for when assessing a breastfeed.
   • Demonstrate how to help a mother position and latch her baby.
   • Identify the functional anatomy of the breast.
   • Describe how milk is transferred from the mother to the baby.
6. Module Six
   • Describe effective ways of presenting information to assist learning.
   • List six reasons a mother may need to hand express her breastmilk.
   • Be competent teaching hand expressing as assessed by the competency tool.
   • Describe their role in educating mothers about baby-led breastfeeding, commencing complementary foods and weaning.
   • Describe their role in monitoring growth of babies and children.
   • List the points to be covered when discussing co-sleeping and bed-sharing with parents.
   • Describe what they do to instill self-confidence in a mother.
   • Describe the 3 critical warning signs they discuss with mothers that will alert them to make an urgent appointment to see a health care professional.
   • Describe how they would teach a mother about the Lactational Amenorrhoea Method of birth control.
7. Module Seven
   • Describe their role in the care of the near-term baby.
   • Describe the breastfeeding plan they would develop for the first 4 days for a newborn baby who is not latching and breastfeeding.
   • List the signs and symptoms and hypoglycaemia, how to reduce its incidence and the feeding management of the affected infant.
   • Describe the onset of physiological jaundice in breastfed babies and the feeding management of the affected infant.
   • List 5 detrimental effects of giving artificial infant formula supplements to babies.
   • Outline common reasons for excessive crying, effective management strategies and general settling tips they would discuss with parents.
   • Outline their role in identifying and managing a baby who is failing to thrive.
8. Module Eight
   • Describe how to prevent engorgement and treatment strategies should it occur.
   • Describe how to prevent nipple damage and treatment strategies should it occur.
   • Describe the presentation of mammary candidiasis and treatment strategies.
   • Describe how to prevent mastitis and treatment strategies should it occur.
   • Describe how breastmilk production is maintained.
   • Describe the strategies they would suggest to increase a reduced milk supply.
   • List the recommendations regarding breastfeeding for mothers who have diabetes, are obese, have thyroid disease, are HBV, HCV or HIV positive.
9. Module Nine
   • Define the aim of the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes and what their responsibilities are under the Code.
   • Discuss the effects of the Baby Friendly Initiative on breastfeeding.
   • Describe ways they can promote, protect and support breastfeeding in their community.

Successful achievement of the learning objectives is assessed by online multiple choice quizzes. 

The final assessments comprise multiple-choice and true/false style questions that are automatically graded on submission: you will receive your results and feedback on each question immediately.

A Workbook, downloaded from the course, is not required to be submitted, but completion will aid learning and provide an excellent resource.

On achieving a passing grade you may download, print and save your Certificate of Completion immediately. Continuing education accreditation points are noted on your Certificate.

Accreditation

The International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners awards

• 20 L CERP and 20 hours of pre-exam education on successful completion.
  IBLCE Approval Number: C21173

• 20 Contact Hours
  Health e-Learning is a Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing. Provider #CEP 15684

• This course is facilitated by an experienced International Board Certified Lactation Consultant.
• The course is available as a two month subscription commencing on the day of notification to you of your username and password, which will be emailed to you on receipt of payment.
• The subscription time may be extended by purchasing an extension prior to the subscription expiry date.
• The average time taken to complete this course and the assessment is 20 hours.
• On successful completion your Certificate will be available to you in pdf format from the course website.
• Replacement certificates can be obtained for a fee, however we maintain an official transcript that is available free for all customers to download at any time.

Fees and Payments

• Enrollments are accepted online, or upon receipt of a faxed or mailed enrollment form (available on request).
• Payments online are available using either PayPal or WorldPay gateways.
• The cost is US$197.
• Additional fees, that are out of our control, may be charged by your bank to convert this to your local currency.
• Please see our Payments FAQ for more information.

Refunds and Privacy

Please see our Terms and Conditions for more information regarding refunds and our Privacy Policy is also available.

Quality Assurance

• Primary Author: Denise Fisher, MMP, BN, IBCLC;
  It was reviewed for content accuracy and relevancy by Dr Ruth Cantrill, PhD, MMid, BN, IBCLC and the School of Nursing and Midwifery, Griffith University, Queensland; where it is used in their Master of Midwifery program.
• Course reviews are conducted annually. New content information is added on an ongoing basis as research is published.

Accreditation

The International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners awards

• 20 L CERP and 20 hours of pre-exam education on successful completion.
  IBLCE Approval Number: C21173

• 20 Contact Hours
  Health e-Learning is a Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing. Provider #CEP 15684